Community
22 November, 2024
Working towards litter-free beaches
A GROUP of young people is hoping that the power of habit, and art, can help in the fight against marine litter.
The Green Futures Now team has developed a new sign that has been installed on the Warrnambool foreshore with the message “whether you’re a cyclist or surfer, swimmer or walker… keep beaches clean, pick up rubbish in your routine”.
To help re-enforce the message, the sign also features Shelley Knoll-Miller’s winning artwork from the team’s Rubbish Repurposed art exhibition.
This exhibition challenged participants to create an artwork using rubbish found at beaches, waterways and parks.
A Warrnambool City Council initiative, Green Futures Now is a leadership program for people aged 12-25.
The program is aimed at building knowledge and supporting young people to help tackle local environmental issues.
After learning about what others were doing in the sustainability space through a series of workshops, the group was then tasked with coming up with its own initiative before putting it into action.
Group member Nikolas Keramaris said litter, especially on beaches, struck a chord with the team.
“The group developed the message (about) picking up rubbish in your routine because everyone wanted to spread awareness about how litter is a serious problem for the environment, and needs to be limited, if not eliminated where possible,” Mr Keramaris said.
Fellow group member Edward Higgins said that art was a great way to convey an important message, with 23 artworks featured as part of the Rubbish Repurposed exhibition.
“I really enjoyed the art exhibition, and we chose the winning artwork because of the message behind it and how it showed a powerful before and after image of what is happening to the environment, not to mention that it was made out of plastic waste,” he said.
While the Green Futures Now program has concluded for the year, it will return in 2025 with expressions of interest to open early next year.
“By being involved in Green Futures Now, I learnt more about the current state of our environment and what others are actively doing to help the environment,” Nikolas said.
“I definitely felt I had made a difference because now lots of people have been educated on the dangers of pollution and litter.
“I feel happy that I have made a difference, as it means we are one step closer to making Warrnambool a 100 per cent sustainable city.”
For more information about Green Futures Now visit www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au/green-futures-now
